| GILBERTSON - Darrel Lee Gilbertson, a father, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, friend and recently, grandfather, has been taken from us. Cut shorter than it should have been, his life was nevertheless lived to the fullest. He packed a lot of living into the years he did have and left us with many memories. Darrel was born in Coronation in 1954 and died in Calgary at the age of 52. Darrel was predeceased by his father and mother, R.D. (Pete) and Alice (Campbell) Gilbertson and sister, Darcy. Left behind to mourn his passing are his son Dustin, his daughter Daralee, her companion Jesse Bellward and Darrel’s granddaughter Sophia as well as three sisters and a brother; Dana, her husband Ivan Shukster; Micki Gilbertson and nephew Keevin; Dienne, her husband, Roy Gertz and nephew Wyatt, grandniece Taylor, niece Marya, grandniece Brooklyn; Terry, his wife Cathie, nephew Douglas, niece Vanessa and her companion, Jace Schmidt, as well as extended family and many friends. Darrel was raised on the family farm and in the house in Coronation. He attended school in Brownfield and Coronation and graduated in 1973. At 16 years old, during the summer of his eleventh grade, Richard Maron introduced Darrel and a couple of friends to the life of a rig hand; a life that he would balance with farming for the rest of his life. He worked that summer for Westburne Drilling, earning $3.60 an hour, which was, for then, pretty big money. A dozen beer cost $2.00. With his earnings Darrel bought his first car, a red Buick. Pretty fancy it was too, it had a radio and a lot of chrome. It was his pride and joy. Darrel worked for Westburne until 1978 when he moved to Westburne International and went overseas. For the next decade, Darrel saw a lot of the world; Algeria, South Africa, Abu Dhabi, Ghana, and Yeman, just to mention a few. It was in 1979 when he was overseas, that Darrel met and was briefly married to Dell Banfield from South Africa. In October of 1985, Darrel married Donna Steeves and settled down for a while to raise Limousin cattle and children. His daughter, Daralee, was born in September of 1986 and his son, Dustin, in May of 1988. Darrel was a devoted and proud father. His sister-in-law Cathie, one of the first to visit the hospital room after their births, recalls Darrel happily and proudly introducing her to each of his children right after they were placed in his arms. In 1989, Darrel and his family moved to Red Deer. It was in Red Deer that Donna and Darrel separated and Darrel reluctantly became a part-time dad who lived for the times he could be with his kids. Daralee and Dustin remember “that to visit relatives with Dad never meant only 10 minutes, nor only 10 miles. Over the years we saw so much of the Alberta countryside from Dad's truck window. When travelling at night, he would leave the interior light on so we could read books as he drove. The radio station was always tuned to our liking, and his lap was a comfy headrest when we got tired. The farm is a very vivid memory of Dad. He would lead us around on horses for hours at a time. Cruising the fields in his truck or quad, with him, and sometimes without. We always looked forward to attending a rodeo with Dad, whether he was participating or spectating.” One of Darrel’s many interests, like his Father before him, was the rodeo. Darrel and his buddies entered the wild horse racing event, doing very well, traveling and having lots of fun. This was also the beginning of the more nomadic lifestyle of working the rigs and farming that he would continue to the present. His more recent travels for the geo thermal work that he found so interesting, took him to places like Japan and Latin America. He felt a strong affinity for the people of Latin America where he undertook to learn a new language and found a lifestyle he thought he would eventually like to live in. The last few years of working saw him coming home to Western Canada where he was able to spend more time with his family. With the arrival of his grandchild, Sophia, who was the sparkle in her grandfather's eyes, he treasured his time with them even more. Sophia loved to take Grampa down to her bedroom, and play peek-a-boo with him and her stuffed Nemo fish. The giggles erupting from both grandfather and granddaughter were sounds most precious. His children remember most of all that their Dad always wanted the best for them, and pushed them to live to the best of their ability; to set their goals high, and know they could be achieved. Their Dad did nothing without a certain passion; he was serious about everything he did. What Darrel’s family and friends will miss the most about him will be his unannounced arrival at the door after a lengthy absence. Funeral services were held at the Trinity United Church, Coronation, Alberta on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 1 p.m. with Reverend Stephen Shantz officiating. Hugh and Linda McLarty gave the eulogy that was written by Darrel’s family. Mrs. Margaret Merchant played the organ for the congregational hymn, “Amazing Grace”, led by the Trinity United Church Choir. Soloist, Loretta Heintz sang “The Old Rugged Cross”. Special recorded music was “Because You Loved Me” and “Daddy’s Hands”. Active Pallbearers were Greg Gilbertson, Tom Carson, Jim Smith, Duane Campbell, Maurice Copan, Zane Glazier and Lee Hayes. Honourary pallbearers were “All Darrel’s Family and Friends”. Following the interment service at Fairfield Cemetery, family and friends gathered at the Brownfield Rec Centre for a time of visiting and reminiscing. Lunch was prepared and served by the Brownfield Baptist Ladies. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, or to a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Coronation Funeral Home, Box 35, Coronation, AB T0C 1C0. Heather Caseley of Coronation Funeral Home entrusted with the funeral arrangements. 1-888-578-2928.“Knowledge, Experience and Professionalism with a Personal Touch” |